My reading stacks are mainly filled with mysteries these days and while I’d like to add a bit more variety I think I won’t be able to do that until I make a dent in these stacks. Here’s what I’m reading:

A Grave Matter by Anna Lee Huber. This series features Lady Kiera Darby who had a scandalous past and over the past couple of books has been working her way back into polite society. Not that she really cares to but what else is a woman in the 1800s supposed to do. But she is starting to realize that sleuthing is something that she’s enjoying. I really enjoy this series and plus there’s a handsome inquiry agent who plays an important part in Lady Kiera’s life and so this series has the right mix of mystery and romance for me.

Zagreb Noir edited by Ivan Srsen. Akashic Books continues its series of original noir anthologies, launched in 2004 with Brooklyn Noir. Each story is set in a distinct neighborhood or location within the city of the book. I’ve read several of the short stories and have found them to be quite grim so I’m glad I can take a breather in between the stories. One was quite horrifying about a soccer game and hooligans out of control. Don’t get me wrong, these are good and I look forward to reading the rest.

I’ll See You In Paris by Michelle Gable. I mentioned this one in my last “currently reading” post and unfortunately have not made any progress. I’m either working through lunch, or get interrupted or am running errands so I haven’t had a lot of time for lunch time reading.

Boundary Waters by William Kent Krueger. Small town Sheriff Cork O’Connor will lead a search-and-rescue mission into the Minnesota wilderness to find a country western singer who’s gone missing. I just started this one and will probably focus on this all weekend because it’s my book group read and that is next Tuesday. So far though the first couple of chapters have really grabbed my attention and that’s good because this is not my usual type of mystery.

Friday is the start of SXSW and that means our horrendous traffic is going to get worse. Needless to say, I will try to stay off the roads as much as possible and instead enjoy my books. Hope you guys have a great weekend!

“In February of 2012, I accompanied my grandparents on boar a cruise ship. I love my grandparents, but as many with loved ones in their 90s will tell you, travel and care-taking are no easy endeavor. This book is the journal of my experience.”

Displacement: A Travelogue
By Lucy Knisley

I have read several of Lucy Knisley’s graphic memoirs and while I’ve enjoyed them all I found this one to be the most touching and heartfelt of her memoirs. I think it will also be one that resonates the most with those who are caregivers and those who are dealing with elderly family members.

In this book Lucy decides to accompany her grandparents on a cruise. She is in her 20s and a seasoned traveler while her grandparents are in their 90s and already struggling with failing health. The trip is only a week vacation but in that week Lucy learns a lot about what it means to become older and what it means to have patience and compassion.

Through the colorful artwork the reader is invited along to see what Lucy deals with on any given moment with her grandparents. She learns that her grandmother’s forgetfulness is not something to be taken lightly, her grandfather sometimes has accidents, and nothing is very easy when you are taking care of two adults, but she also gets a chance to get to know her grandparents more and realizes that she’s helping them live their trip of a lifetime opportunity.

I absolutely loved this book. I was reminded of when my grandmother would come visit us. I’d help her to the bathroom, I took her to doctor’s appointments, and when she was very ill and needed to be taken to the hospital I rode with her in the ambulance. We all do this for love. Yes, it is hard and there are days your patience is hanging by a thread. You are exhausted and grumpy but one day it will be our turn.

Source: Library copy